Crystal energy and discharge
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Crystal energy is the energy of the Crystal-plant hybrid, which a few people can absorb and later release in different forms.
In Descent (2258)
How it works
It was discovered when a researcher's equipment melted after hours studying a crystal, while she and her clothes were unharmed. She had a rare combination of gene expressions in the cells of her amygdala, a difference in its physical structure rather than its chemistry, which let her transfer the crystal's energy to her temporal lobe by staying near it. She could later release it as heat, flames and light. Soon after, a second researcher with the same profile released it as magnetism. Both said it took a strange "feeling" to absorb it. Releasing it though, was far more unclear: for one, a continuous effort like a mental struggle or a prolonged light pain was needed; for the other, the action was more described as a deep communion with her surroundings.
In the story
Kurt's search finds nine candidates among the crew who are awake, exactly three in each group; eight join the expedition to the The crystal cluster. Back at the wreck, several of them manage to produce energy inducing manipulations: heat, magnetism and low-frequency waves. Others don't seem to manage to use the absorbed crystal energy, doubting they have performed the acquisition properly.
Other effects appear later in the story.